Betty Marie Barks went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior the night of June 20, 2014.

Betty entered the world at St. Benedict’s Hospital in the farming community of Sterling, Colorado, on April 23, 1948. She was the first daughter and the second of six children born to Lillian and Stan Heist. A 1966 graduate of Sterling High School, she went on to attend Northeastern Junior College. Then, notorious for changing her own hairstyles, it was no surprise when she moved to Denver to attend beauty school in 1969.

Life’s journey took her to Moab, Utah, where she gave birth to her first child and met, worked with and then married her Prince Charming, Richard Barks, on Nov. 26, 1971. They were entwined in a once in a lifetime romance that gave them another daughter in 1973 and lasted happily throughout their 42 1/2 years of marriage.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:35

Betty was, undoubtedly, a disciple for Jesus and her love for others showed in all of her actions. She welcomed everyone with the warmest of smiles and always offered an open ear accompanied by words of understanding, comfort, encouragement and praise. Her talents were many and included cooking, baking, and crocheting — all of which she used for the benefit of others.

Of all of her gifts, nothing blessed her more than working with children, and she blessed them in return. In 1980, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Moab Christian Academy where she loved teaching her K-4 and K-5 “littlies” about Jesus and the Bible, in addition to reading and writing.

Her journey’s final stop was Phoenix, Arizona, where she got to spend the last years of her life under the continuous loving care of her husband with her daughters and granddaughter nearby. Betty continued to touch lives and build relationships until the very end. Her last day of this life will be remembered as triumphant for the overwhelming outpouring of love she received and the suffering that was exchanged for eternal peace.

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.